Ok, apologies if this info is on here somewhere... but what bits do I need to connect my Ipod Nano to the car? How much is the connector likely to cost, and will my local Parts Dept be able to sell... or can I buy it somewhere else? Am I right in saying the connector port is in the compartment between the front seats? The Nano should be able to connect shouldn't it?? Sorry for all the questions, its been a looooooooooooong day

If you lift the arm rest there's an Aux connector and power supply. You can connect your ipod using a phono connector. It's not great, but it works. You can get the phono connector and power cable off ebay.
The full ipod connector kit costs around £180 to £250 and lets you select playlists through the controls on the steering wheel.

£180 to £250 for the proper ipod connector!! - to be honest that was the part I was originally thinking about since it lets you use the steering wheel controls. I think I might try the phono connector to start with and see how it goes.

£180 to £250 for the proper ipod connector!! - to be honest that was the part I was originally thinking about since it lets you use the steering wheel controls. I think I might try the phono connector to start with and see how it goes.

Thanks for your help.

You can get the phono lead (3.5mm jack male to male stereo cable) from B&Q for a couple of quid (and probably most hifi stores).

Since you have a 'dock connector' on your nano - you can use it to get true 'line out' sound bypassing the ipods puny pre-amp (really only designed for headphone use) and charge your ipod at the same time.

If you lift the arm rest there's an Aux connector and power supply. You can connect your ipod using a phono connector. It's not great, but it works. You can get the phono connector and power cable off ebay.
The full ipod connector kit costs around £180 to £250 and lets you select playlists through the controls on the steering wheel.

Where can I get the connector kit for £180 and how easy it to fit and remove (lease car!). I have just got two 80Gb iPods (I have ripped my entire CD collection as lossless - in process of doing Vinyl now). So i'd love to have steering wheel control.

I seen something on the BMW website about an adapter for the glovebox. But the BMW customer services have told me that that I can't change tracks or see track names on the stereo!

You can get the phono lead (3.5mm jack male to male stereo cable) from B&Q for a couple of quid (and probably most hifi stores).

Since you have a 'dock connector' on your nano - you can use it to get true 'line out' sound bypassing the ipods puny pre-amp (really only designed for headphone use) and charge your ipod at the same time.

If you lift the arm rest there's an Aux connector and power supply. You can connect your ipod using a phono connector. It's not great, but it works. You can get the phono connector and power cable off ebay.
The full ipod connector kit costs around £180 to £250 and lets you select playlists through the controls on the steering wheel.

Does the 'proper' BMW ipod kit let you scroll through ALL your playlists or just the first 6? I have heard that some connectors act like a fake CD changer and you only get access to the first six playlists.

Z4 Beemer - Finally got the Monster ipod cable. Works well and the sound quality seems great. You also need a phono to phono cable to go with it. Unless you want to spend £200 on the BMW version then it's a great solution.
BTW - took me a while to get the cable. I ordered the first one from ebay and the seller hadn't responded after a week, when I emailed them they said they wouldn't have it in stock for 2 weeks. Not acceptable for a "buy it now" sale. Finally got one from Amazon.

My local dealer originally quoted £295 for the OEM BMW iPod connector including fitting.
I received a call from them today saying that the price is now £535 for this because of a new upgraded model, with new features, although he didn't know what these new "features" were.

Are these prices normal, or I am being ripped off here?
Anyone had the oem connector installed, experiences?

Interesting ... do you just rest the ipod on the handbrake ... or have you put some velcro or something on it ????

I've got a nano which is small and so it sits on the handbrake perfectly without sliding off. The leather of the handbrake holds it quite snuggly. Remember the handbrake is mostly fully horizontal when you are driving and not pulled up as in my photos earlier, so it just rests on the bit behind the handbrake handle. Plus the Belkin lead only just peaks out of the centre armrest so its taught and firm also helping to keep the nano in place. You will see the set-up in my earlier photos. Works great